“She’s a beautiful royal brunette, exquisitely fashionable, a mom from a middle-class family and popular — and her name isn’t Kate,” says USA Today. “She’s the next queen of Spain, Princess Letizia. She’s not only going to give Duchess Kate of Cambridge a run for the royal money, she’s stealing ahead of her in the queenship stakes.”

Both royal women favour wearing their brunette hair long and loose, prefer minimalist jewels but jewel-toned ensembles, like their high heels (a lot) and both are commoners who married into their respective royal families. (Princess Letizia is the former Letizia Ortiz, a Spanish journalist, and Duchess Catherine is the former Kate Middleton, fashion buyer for the fashion chain Jigsaw.)

Now that her father-in-law, King Juan Carlos, has abdicated, Princess Letizia finds herself in the spotlight as the next Queen of Spain. Here’s a look at some of her most memorable and glamourous moments.

Letizia Ortiz waves as she appears on the balcony of Royal Palace after her wedding to Spanish Crown Prince Felipe de Bourbon May 22, 2004 in Madrid. Ian Waldie, Getty Images.

Princess Letizia of Spain attends the wedding ceremony of Prince Guillaume Of Luxembourg and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg at the Cathedral of our Lady of Luxembourg on October 20, 2012. Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images.

Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia attend a Gala Dinner honouring Chilean President Sebastian Pinera at the Royal Palace on March 7, 2011 in Madrid. Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images.

Princess Letizia receives Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan for a Gala Dinner at the Royal Palace during the third day of his visit to Spain on June 12, 2013 in Madrid. Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images.

Princess Letizia visits King Juan Carlos of Spain at the Quiron University Hospital on Nov. 22, 2013 in Pozuelo de Alarcon, Spain. The Spanish King underwent an operation to get a final prosthesis on his left hip. Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images.

Princess Letizia of Spain visits the new ‘Puig’ company headquarters at the Torre Puig on April 7, 2014 in Barcelona. The Puig company is a international business in the fashion and fragrance industry, and operates under the brands Jean Paul Gualtier, Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci and Paco Rabanne. Robert Marquardt/Getty Images.

Princess Letizia arrives at the Club Nautico during the 30th Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre Sailing Cup on on Aug. 6, 2011 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images.

In this handout photo from the Spanish Royal Household, Princess Letizia poses for an official portrait session at Zarzuela Palace on May 5, 2010 in Madrid. Dany Virgili, Spanish Royal Household via Getty Images.

In this handout photo provided by the Royal Press Department, Princess Letizia poses at Zarzuela Palace on September 15, 2012 in Madrid. Cristina García Rodero, Royal Press Department via Getty Images.

A file picture taken on October 21, 2011 shows Princess Letizia attending the 2011 Prince of Asturias awards ceremony at the Campoamor Theater, in Oviedo. Miguel Riop, AFP/Getty Images.

A file picture taken on November 22, 2011 shows Princess Letizia standing upon arrival for a banquet by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera (not in frame) at La Moneda Presidential Palace, in Santiago, Chile. Claudio Santana, AFP/Getty Images.

Princess Letizia of Spain arrives for the wedding of former Prince Nicolas of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik at the island of Spetses on August 25, 2010. Louisa Gouliamaki, AFP/Getty Images.

Felipe, the Prince of Asturias and Letizia, the Princess of Asturias attend the Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.

This handout file photo released by the Spanish Royal House on September 15, 2012 shows Crown Prince Felipe with his wife, Princess Letizia, at their official residence in Madrid on August 1, 2012. Cristina Garcia Rodero, Handout, AFP Photo/ Casa Real.